CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155 LOVE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Lin Wanyi listened to all this and suddenly didn’t know what to do.

The originally good mood turned overcast because of this.

Outside, the sky was getting brighter and brighter until the whole of Huifang Courtyard was bathed in sunlight.

Lin Wanyi still sat under the corridor, leaning against the red lacquered pillar without moving.

If it were usual times, she would have already started watering the flowers and plants.

How could she be like today, feeling completely unwell?

It must be said that the words Dong Yuzhong spoke to her before leaving were quite touching.

In her thoughts, she never dared to expect the Emperor to treat her like this.

Since she was a child, the people she came into contact with were only her parents and maternal grandfather’s family.

There was never such a bond of marriage.

Marriage bond?

It’s laughable, what qualification does she have to discuss this so-called marriage bond with the Emperor of the dynasty?

If it really comes down to it, now everyone in the entire palace is just his concubine.

The only one who could truly be called his wife was the late Empress Xu.

But since entering the palace, the Emperor had often confided in her.

Once was knowing her brother was beaten, after dealing with Lin Guifei rushed to comfort her.

Once was talking with her under the moon, recounting the past.

And once was today.

He told her of the hardships of the harem, yet he was unwilling to let go of her hand.

Each time, it was the Emperor taking a step closer, while she always hesitated, unwilling to move forward.

Either unable to respond or with reservations.

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt, the knot in her heart became harder to untie.

Sighing to the left, sighing to the right, almost worrying Xia An, who served behind her, to death.

It was this scene that Nanny Du stumbled upon.

From the side and behind, what difference does the current Lin Changzai have from the Consort Xian of yore?

Could it be that this palace truly cannot tolerate a bit of love?

Women with a bit of affection would ultimately be trapped by love and thus meet an untimely demise?

Her thoughts were interrupted by many past memories, after a moment.

After thinking it over, she still walked up with a determined look, giving a salute to Lin Wanyi and said.

"This servant greets Miss Lin."

"Why has Nanny Du come over?"

Lin Wanyi was only brought out of her sorrowful thoughts by her interruption.

"The Second Prince probably woke up early, now he’s asleep again with fatigue. I have something in my hand, thought and thought, and decided it’s best for Miss Lin to take a look."

Something?

Lin Wanyi was quite curious.

Seeing her not moving, she stood up and said to Xia An.

"You stay outside the courtyard, let Nanny Du come in and speak with me."

"Yes."

After the two went inside, Xia An closed the door lightly.

And then retreated to the corridor, so he couldn’t hear the conversation inside.

Lin Wanyi sat on the round stool, quietly watching Nanny Du.

Then Nanny Du seemed to decide on something and took out a piece of silk cloth from her bosom.

This piece of silk is a bit larger than an ordinary handkerchief, the material at a glance is top-quality Floating Light Brocade.

Lin Wanyi took it and saw it was embroidered with a landscape painting.

And that painting seemed to somewhat resemble what the Emperor drew for her at that time.

Only one appeared more steadfast and grand, while the other more delicate and elegant.

Lin Wanyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Could this be the old belonging of Empress Xu?

Nanny Du gave her this item, perhaps to remind her she was just a substitute?

Suddenly, her emotions turned chaotic.

She didn’t know how to handle herself.

But before Lin Wanyi could figure it all out, Nanny Du spoke up.

"I was once the wet nurse serving Consort Xian. Since the Emperor’s birth, I was assigned by Consort Xian to take care of the then Eldest Prince, now the Emperor, and it’s been more than twenty years."

This, Lin Wanyi knew a bit about earlier.

The Emperor had mentioned it to her on several occasions.

But these old stories, what do they have to do with this handkerchief?

Lin Wanyi was puzzled.

But she patiently listened as Nanny Du continued.

"This silk cloth is an old belonging of Consort Xian. Had it not been unfinished, it might have been buried with Consort Xian at the Imperial Mausoleum."

As soon as the words fell, Lin Wanyi examined the handkerchief closely.

Indeed, one could tell by certain landscape positions and color schemes, it was unfinished.

So she asked.

"So Consort Xian was also skilled at embroidery?"

"Yes, not just embroidery."

Speaking of Consort Xian, Nanny Du’s usually stern expression suddenly softened.

Starting to reminisce.

"Consort Xian was once the best woman in the world. She was wise and discerning, with both talent and beauty, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, and embroidery. When her parents were alive, they nurtured her very well. This servant thought Consort Xian would find a noble husband in an ordinary family and live a smooth life, but who knew the late Emperor’s eastern tour would be the biggest turning point in her life."

"Consort Xian was immediately noticed by the late Emperor, selected to enter the palace. Within just three years, she rose from a minor lady to the favored Consort Xian. In the harem, everyone was jealous, but nothing could be done as the late Emperor only had feelings for the consort."

"At first, life was still comfortable. There were inevitable bumps and scrapes, but the late Emperor always defended Consort Xian until the Emperor was born, and everything changed."

Nanny Du spoke, her gaze turning from gentle to sharp.

"The Emperor was the late Emperor’s eldest son. At that time, the Empress (now Empress Dowager) had been in the palace for many years, with only two Princesses. Finally, a Prince was born, naturally, she wanted to raise him under her knee as a legitimate son. Unfortunately, Consort Xian was not in good health after the child was born. With the Empress’s maternal family and officials constantly petitioning the court, in the end, the Emperor was sent to be raised in her palace."

"And there he was raised for many years."

"Consort Xian, despite her reputation and the late Emperor’s affection, did not have the fortune to stay together until old age. So when the Emperor was five years old, she passed away. On her deathbed, she held my hand and repeatedly instructed and urged me to take care of the Emperor."

"This servant... is naturally determined to protect the Emperor at all costs."

These early-year stories poured out of Nanny Du’s mouth.

There’s a sense of remoteness but also regret.

Turns out, this drama of keeping the child and losing the mother didn’t just happen to her.

Even someone as favored as Consort Xian went through this ordeal.

No wonder, since entering the palace, the Emperor always treated her somewhat differently.

Perhaps, he saw in her the helplessness and struggle that Consort Xian once experienced.

Ah...